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SHANGLA: Removal of forest checkposts set up along the Karakoram Highway in Shangla district has allowed large-scale timber smuggling from Kohistan district.

According to sources, the checkposts were removed on the directives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. They said the Shangla forest department had effectively checked smuggling of timber from northern parts for many years, but removal of checkposts from Shang Bisham and other parts along the KKH two months ago had given a free hand to the timber smugglers.

They said the government had not mentioned any reason for removal of the checkposts, adding these checkposts were the only barrier for prevention of timber smuggling from Kohistan.

When contacted, divisional forest officer Mohammad Amjad said the checkposts were removed on the government’s orders. He said there should be at least one checkpost on the KKH in Shangla district for checking timber smuggling.

WOMAN KILLED ON ROAD: A woman was killed and five others were injured when a van fell into a ravine in Kamach area of Nusratkhel here the other day.

Locals told Dawn that a van heading to Deval area from Dedal Kamach fell into a ravine while negotiating a turn, and as a result, a woman identified as Mangaro Bibi died on the spot, while five others were injured, including two children and two women.

They said the locals shifted the injured to a nearby hospital wherefrom they were referred to a hospital in Buner.

PLAYGROUND DEMANDED: The youth of Ranyal village have demanded of the district government to build a playground in the locality.

Speaking at a ceremony, marking the conclusion of a cricket tournament the other day, they said sports facilities brought people together and also provided them a healthy environment. They urged the youth to take part in sports activities.

A cash prize of Rs20,000 was given to the local cricket tournament committee for repair of a playground.